Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 19

A photo of you on a class trip

This day is also way easier when you're a teacher. :)


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Day 18

A photo of you and one of your classes

Luckily, I'm a teacher, so this day is easy! This is my 4/5 combo class. One of my hardest years of teaching, but one of my favorite classes. I still keep in touch with a lot of these students. I got to spend 2 years or more with a lot of them. The hardest(or best, depends on the year!) part of being a 5th grade teacher is sending them off to middle school!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Art for AIDS

As most of you know, I'm part of a church plant, called Missio Dei Community. I have been loving the chance to talk about what it means to be intentional in our relatioships and in our community. One organization we have been involved with is the Santa Cruz AIDS Project. A few of us participated in the Surf City AIDS ride (thanks to all who donated!) and we have also been trained, as volunteers. It has been AWESOME to learn more about the awesome things this organization is doing, with what little money they have left.

So, in celebration of World AIDS Day and Advent Conspiracy, createHumanity and Missio Dei is working together to put on a benefit concert called Art for AIDS. There will be comedians, music and art. 100% of the ticket proceeds will go to SCAP, along with a portion of any art that is sold. I am SO excited about this, and the possible impact we could all have on our community. If you're local and want to come, go here for tickets! If you're not local, come down/up and go, it'd be worth it!



Day 17

Day 17: A drunk photo of you

Umm, yeah. Don't have one of those, but this picture (although not my favorite of me) is me hiding the fact that I'm drunk with anger lol. 6 hours, 18 innings and the Padres still LOST. That's the best I can do for Day 17 lol


Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 16

A photo of you at the last party you went to

I guess this technically counts as a party? At Ashley's for practice Thanksgiving. This is her niece, Amelia. Practice Thanksgiving is AWESOME! Everybody practices new dishes that they are going to make on Thanksgiving. It was tons of fun, and I great way to meet some of Ashley's friends.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 15--Caleb and Micah

A photo of you and someone you love

Halfway done with the 30 day photo challenge! Even if no one is reading, it has been fun for me. This day was hard, as previously mentioned, I have some pretty awesome people in my life! I have tons of kids in my life, which I love.(None of them are forgotten, and I love them all!!) These 2 kiddos have been on my mind a lot this week. I picked these pictures because a) they're cute and b) they have brought a lot of joy to my life, this past year. I couldn't find a picture of all 3 of us :( I love when they get excited when I come over, and they always have lots to talk about! I love how Micah is a great dance. I love how caring Caleb is, and how he has a great sense of humor. And most of all, I love how he's a Charger fan! Micah has been learning about that, too. So thankful for them and how they help to remind me that there is always time for fun!

Thankful

I feel like a blogging machine. haha Instead of my yearly "Things I'm thankful for" post, I wanted to post some things that I'm thankful I learned this year. There are some awesome things God has taught me this year, it's been fun to reflect on them.

-Being intentional with my relationships with people is WAY more difficult than it sounds, but SO rewarding

-I do not always measure success the same way God does.

-God, my friends and my family are my rock. They will always be there, even when I make horrible choices.

-God always knows the plans. If something doesn't turn out the way you think it should, take it as a hint. Don't keep trying to make it work, 2 or 3 more times.

-Taking care of my health gives me confidence to do things I would have never done before. Remember this post about me being exhausted after a 5k? Last weekend I ran a half marathon!

-In my line of work, it's all about your attitude. There will be challenges every, single year, it's the way you deal with them.(only took me 5 years)

-It's ok to be busy, but clearing your schedule so that you have time for building relationships, is the best way to be busy!

-Online dating really isn't any fun. ha

-Glorifying God with our finances and sticking to a strict budget, makes life a little less fun, but makes life less stressful.

I'm sure there's others, I'll try to update if I remember them. I'm spending Thanksgiving up in Sactown with Christy, this year. I spent many Thanksgivings with her family, in college. I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days. Happy Thanksgiving!!




Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Day 14

A photo of one of your favorite family members

Not sure why I can't find a picture of us together...and it isn't fair that "they" make us pick a favorite family member lol. It was a hard fight between Tim and Grandma. (really, no offense to everyone else lol ) So in typical Christal fashion, I picked both. I am so lucky to have Tim as a step-dad.

Here's a few reasons:
-he is ALWAYS supportive
-we can laugh together when mom is being crazy
-he loved me from Day 1
-he's been there, when my dad hasn't
-he always sends me text messages telling me how proud he is of me
-He runs half marathons in 1:39 ?!?!?! Who does that?
-He works hard, despite crazy budget cuts, to help support us


And then there's grandma(my gma on the right, my step-gma on the left, both equally awesome) My gma, will probably KILL me for posting a picture of her. Because she hates pictures, it's difficult to find one with us together!

Here's why she's great:
-She took care of us after school, while my mom worked(years and years of days of our lives cemented in my brain haha)
-she spoils me ;)
-she calls, just to catch up and tell me she's proud of me
-she's funny
- she loves sports, and calls to talk about it all the time
- she loves and supports all of her kids and grandkids, even when we don't all agree, all the time
-she comments on my blog

Here's why she's not:
-She's a Denver Broncos fan (haha, kidding Grandma...sort of)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 13

A photo of your best friend(s)

I have THE best friends, in the whole world. At different times in our lives, we have different people who are closest to us. I love that I have more than 1 person I can call best friend. Here are some of the amazing women in my life! (in no particular order) Love you all. :)









Monday, November 22, 2010

Day 12

A photo of you.

This picture is so precious to me. 1, because it's where I love to be, surrounded by my students, and 2, the student who asked to take a picture with me is, by far, one of my most difficult students. Plus, greatest field trip ever!


Sunday, November 21, 2010

30 things to do before 30

Next month is my 26th birthday. I'll officially be closer to 30 than 20. haha. I'm not really worried about it! What I am worried about is the stress I have put on myself to accomplish certain things(marriage, mostly) before I reach the age of 30. So, to get myself out of that attitude, I'm making a list of some fun, adventurous and practical things I'd like to do before I'm 30! I'll try to update when one of them is accomplished.
Here they are, in no particular order:

Travel
1) Go on a cruise
2) Spend New Years Eve in NYC (ha, some of you know why this is funny.)
3) Visit Canada
4) Visit Greece
5) Take a road trip that lasts a week or more
6) Teach in Mexico for a summer

Adventure/Fitness
7) Hike Half Dome
8) Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
9) Learn to swing dance/Take some type of partner dance lessons
10) Run a 9 minute mile
11) Get to my goal weight (would be a total of about 100 lbs lost, 50 more to go!)
12) Complete the Warrior Dash
13) White water rafting
14) Complete an Olympic triathlon in 3 hr and 30 min, or less
15) Attend some personal training sessions
16) Go stand up paddle boarding, in the ocean

Other Random things:
17) Get my administrative credential
18) Learn how to play the guitar
19) Learn how to make sushi
20) Pay off all non school debt
21) Win a fantasy football league
22) Watch the Star Wars trilogy
23) Grow out my hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love
24) Go snorkeling
25) Take a class on the Old Testament
26) Listen to a sermon by Francis Chan, in person
27) Rollerblade on West Cliff
28) Sponsor my own Compassion child
29) Go to an A's game(which would complete my CA baseball tour)
30) Find a soccer team to play on

Day 11

Day 11: A photo of your favorite movie(s)
I like a ton of movies, but here's a few of my favorites.

"Peter once asked me when I fell in love with Jack. And I told him, 'It was while you were sleeping.' "

" You have bewitched me, body and soul and I love, I love, I love you."


"Radio? Who needs a radio??"



Friday, November 19, 2010

Harry Potter and Day 10

I think I missed a day, but technically I was a day ahead, sooo now I'm back on schedule. I wasn't home last night, because I was out seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 at midnight. Did anyone else see it? Thoughts? I loved it. I thought it was better than the 6th one.

Anyways, enough about that, and back to the 30 Day Photo Challenge.

Day 10: A photo of you as a baby

I was actually excited about this day. I love baby pictures, and I've been working on scrapbook of my younger years. So I just took pictures of the pictures in my book. Here's a few!

Christmas 1985, 1 year and a few weeks


Halloween 1989---4 years old


I was in 1st or 2nd grade for this one, and I know it's not a baby picture, but I had to post this one for Kendra and Rachel. This is when I went to a private school and was on my way to a Psalty recital. Check out those jeans!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 9

A Photo of your family

I think I got a day ahead on accident, oh well..I'm gonna go with it.

Love the jumping picture, mom used it on our Christmas card this year! Love the one of me and my siblings below, we are rarely all in the same place at once.



Monday, November 15, 2010

Day 8

A photo of your favorite band/musician


Ok, ok, I confess Amy Grant isn't my favorite. I just like to give Rachel a hard time. ;) She might not think I'm not funny anymore, but I still do. :)

I don't really have a favorite band or musician, I like tons of different bands. I guess I'll stick with country this time around. This is from the Rascal Flatts concert last month.


Day 7

Day 7: A photo of someone you love
No fair that I only get to pick one. Too many choices! I picked a picture of Matt and Missy because I have been missing them a ton lately. Boise is WAY too far away. They have been 2 of my closest friends for almost 10 years. Can't wait to go visit on my spring break in April, when their first baby (Christal, Jr.) is due!! :)


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Day 6

Day 6: A photo that makes you laugh
The infamous picture from New Years 2008(I think). Dan, you're a good sport, I appreciate you putting up with me the last 5 years lol

Friday, November 12, 2010

Photo Challenge Day 5

Day 5: A photo of you
Pacific Grove Triathlon, September 11, 2010. I'm still proud of this accomplishment. :)



30 Day Photo Challenge

I'm copying Carrie and Robin and trying out the 30 Day Photo Challenge, mostly because I don't really have much to blog about...but I have tons of pictures! I'm a little behind, so I'm going to do Days 1-4 in one post.
Day 1: Your Facebook Profile Picture
I love this picture and the person in it with me. In addition, it's only the 2nd time in like 10 years that I've worn a dress that isn't a bridesmaid dress :)

Day 2: A Picture of yourself, a year ago.
India was a year ago?! Holy cow, where does the time go? This picture is crazy to me. I look so different now AND Jen, who I met in India, just told me she's expecting. It's been fun to keep in touch with them, even though they live halfway across the world.


Day 3: A photo that makes you happy
This picture is so old, but I miss my brother. Seeing us in pictures makes me happy. :)
Day 4: The last place you went on vacation
It took me awhile to think of the last vacation I went on. May 2010, Las Vegas, with my Cal Poly friends. So fun! So bummed I'm missing out on the annual trip this year.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Christy is getting married!

My really close friend, Christy, is getting married in December! I have the honor of being a bridesmaid on her special day. Today we got to throw her a bridal shower. It was so fun to do something for her, since she is always doing things for other people. It was fun to catch up with old friends and eat too much. :) Congrats Christy and Zach!